Discover Nature Programs

Through a partnership with the Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge (LMNGBR) we are proud to offer exciting new Discover Nature programs featuring local and national experts who are in touch with nature and are eager to share their experiences. All programs will be held in the Imo Brown Complex in the Beverly Brown Coates Auditorium at Hilltop Arboretum. Discover Nature programs are free for Members Magnolia Level ($250) and above. Advance registration is encouraged.

Protecting the Atchafalaya Basin: Flood Risk, Sedimentation, and the Future of Louisiana's Great River Swamp
Featuring Atchafalaya Basinkeeper Executive Director Dean Wilson
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM  

Hilltop welcomes Dean Wilson, Executive Director of Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, for a presentation exploring the challenges facing the Atchafalaya Basin and why its future matters to all of South Louisiana.

For more than twenty years, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper has worked to protect the nation's largest river swamp through advocacy, education, and scientific research. During this program, Wilson will discuss how sedimentation and current management practices are affecting the Basin's ability to function as a floodway and the potential implications for communities throughout Southcentral Louisiana.

Participants will learn about proposed management solutions designed to maintain the Basin's flood capacity, deliver valuable sediment to Louisiana's eroding coast, and reduce flood risk for future generations. The presentation will also examine the broader role of the Atchafalaya Basin in supporting wildlife habitat, water quality, and the cultural and economic vitality of the region.

About the Speaker

Captain Dean A. Wilson is the Executive Director of Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.  American born, Dean grew up in Spain but came to Louisiana in 1984 en route to the Amazon. After living in the Basin’s deep swamps for 4 months with only a spear, a few hooks, a bow and arrows, Dean fell in love with the swamps, lakes, bayous and rivers of the Atchafalaya Basin. Dean chose to stay in the Basin, working as a commercial fisherman before forming Basinkeeper in 2004, a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Dean's passion for the Basin is evident to all who know him. When he is not out patrolling or educating communities about the Basin and its many threats and treasures, he works with his family-owned and operated swamp tour business, Last Wilderness Swamp Tours.

Overwintering Habitats for Beneficial Insects
Featuring Teri Gegenheimer: 
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM  

Insects are the unsung heroes of healthy ecosystems, yet many struggle to find the habitat they need to survive the winter. Join Louisiana Master Naturalist, Xerces Society Volunteer Ambassador, and Wild Ones Pontchartrain Basin founding board member Teri Gegenheimer as she explores the fascinating ways insects overwinter and how gardeners can create beautiful landscapes that support them.

Learn about the diverse habitats these remarkable creatures depend on during the colder months and discover simple, practical ways to incorporate insect-friendly features into your own landscape. Whether you're new to native gardening or looking to enhance an existing habitat, you'll leave inspired to create an outdoor space that supports pollinators and other beneficial insects year-round.

About the Speaker

Teri Gegenheimer became a Louisiana Master Naturalist in 2018 and has served as a Volunteer Ambassador for the Xerces Society since 2023. She is also a founding board member of Wild Ones Pontchartrain Basin, established in 2022. Through her work promoting native plants and insect conservation, she enjoys helping others discover the important connections between healthy landscapes and the wildlife they support.

Program Details

Protecting the Atchafalaya Basin: Flood Risk, Sedimentation, and the Future of Louisiana's Great River Swamp
August 25, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM

Atchafalaya Basin REGISTRATION

Overwintering Habitats for Beneficial Insects
September 22, 2026 | 6:30-8:00 PM

OVERWINTERing HABITATS REGISTRATION

Questions? Email or call 225-767-6916.